Are you a dreamer?

When my wife, Natalie, and I got together, she would often ask me about my dreams. What did I want to do? Where did I want to go? Where did I see myself living later in life? All viable questions, however, none that I could answer. I recall telling her that my only dream was to educate my children. Honorable? Yes, but what about me?

Growing up with very little and without much of a foundation drove me to do better for my children. When it was time for me to choose a college, I had no one to turn to. No one to help me with the process. I simply chose the school that offered me the most scholarship money. Ended up being a poor decision and I was out of school by the end of the first semester and never to return.

Towards the end of 2013, something clicked inside of me. Suddenly, I started thinking about bettering myself; bettering my financial situation. I explored business opportunities with due diligence. This was so unlike me. When I found the perfect fit for me, I went to work. Success came quickly and is continuing now. What caused this?

I started to dream! I began thinking about the future and didn't like where I would be over the next 10-12 years. What did I want to do? I would love to travel more. Where did I want to go? Wherever I wanted because I have no restraints. Where do I see myself living later in life? I heard South Florida was nice!

www.coachtomgriffith.com

What is your gift?

I'm convinced everyone has a gift. What is yours? Are you an amazing athlete or unbelievable cook? Maybe you have musical talent or a sense of humor that leaves everyone in stitches? Whatever it is, embrace it.

Sadly, some go through life and never tap into their gift. Sadder yet, they may not even know what it is! What a travesty this would be. To have something wonderful inside of you and the world never receives it.

I feel blessed to have tapped into mine so early in my life. At the age of 19, someone asked me to coach them and I said "yes". 30 years later and the beat goes on. While moving some old boxes today, I was reminded of how fortunate I have been. Awards are nice, however, I'll take a handwritten note from a former athlete any day. Although I have "retired" from one aspect of coaching, the evolution into another form is still taking place.

I cannot imagine where I would be today had that day 30 years ago not taken place. It's scary just thinking about it!

Who said compassion was dead?

I attended a local running event last evening and came away with a great feeling. The event was an off road 5K run around the grounds of a produce farm. Sounds like an enjoyable little romp thru the fields, however, I can assure you that off road running is a higher scale of difficulty than street running. Trust me! I am betting there are a few folks with some sore lower legs today!

If you ever want to witness human compassion in motion, attend a running event. Of course, the gun goes off and it appears to be every person for themselves. Yes, there is a lot of that. In most events, there are trophies to be won and age group titles on the line. It can be very competitive! If you look through all of this, you will see another environment altogether.

This event was sponsored by the local YMCA. The Y is all about family & community so a lot of Mommies, Daddies and kids were in attendance; some running their first 5K and doing so together. In my eyes, it's hard to top hearing the encouragement of a parent running (or walking) along side their child. Always gives me a warm feeling inside!

Being a local running coach, I knew or recognized many of those that attended. There was a large group (6-8) of women that came in together and were in the back of the pack. They mostly walked, however, they were upbeat, chatty, and full of motivation for each other. As I watched them approach the finish, most of the focus appeared to be directed at one member of their group. Just a few feet from the end, they began to jog and crossed the line together. Hugs and high fives all around; heck I even joined in!

Of the 200+ runners/walkers in attendance, it would be interesting to know the percentage that may not have entered had they not been encouraged. What percentage of those that entered may not have finished without positive praise from others? I've been around long enough to know that those numbers may surprise you!

www.coachtomgriffith.com

Will you see it thru?

For as long as I can remember, I've been an encourager. Someone that prods others to keep going using whatever means is necessary. I'm a firm believer in positive praise, however, I have been known to tell a little "fib" if I know it will work! lol.

When I was a boy, I loved being a part of sports teams. You name the sport, I played it. For whatever reason(s), I was often forced to quit. I can recall very few times I was allowed to finish a season. Probably the most painful was during my 10th grade year in high school. I had a pretty good Track season going and was really starting to bloom as a distance runner. As we prepared for the upcoming District meet, I found myself as the number two seed in the 3200M run. The #1 guy was pretty good and it would take a special game plan for me to beat him. My coach and I came up with a plan and we practiced it so well that I knew I could do it. Day of the meet, I wasn't allowed to go. Crushing. Season over!

I guess that is why being an encourager is so important to me. Sure quitting sometimes is a necessity, however, should be avoided at all costs. Every time you quit, it makes it easier for it to become a habit.

Do you struggle with this? Have you ever figured out why you quit? Often it can be as simple as not having support or a plan in place. If this is the case, find a support group and learn to become an encourager.

www.coachtomgriffith.com

How many days do you have left?

I posted a video earlier that used jelly beans to illustrate how we are wasting our lives. I haven't stopped thinking about that since! I realize there are some things we have no control over.....like the time we spend sleeping, eating, and other daily intangibles. The time we spend either working, preparing to work, and commuting to work is mind numbing!

On the average, we will live 28,835 days. Also, on the average, we will spend 3,202 of those days at work (hopefully doing something enjoyable?) and 1,099 days commuting to and from work. That's 4,301 days; approximately 15% of your life working and that's not even factoring in the time it takes to get ready to work.

Don't even get me started on the 2,676 days we spend on front of the TV! haha. At least that can be shared with family, but geez!

Every minute of every day counts. Hug those around you that mean the most. Time is flying by quickly........

www.coachtomgriffith.com

Positively no negativity

I recently had to change my morning routine as it pertains to social media. In the past, I would peruse my news feed before I started posting, however, I realized that the excitement I had for the day would lose some of it's glow due to the negativity that I would allow in. By simply reading others posts, the life was getting sucked out of me. I could even tell by the quality of my own posts that this routine was having a poor effect on me. Something had to give!

Now, I don't even look at my news feed until later in the morning. I've been up since 6:30 and haven't looked yet. I've knocked out my first workout of the day and am very happy with the value of my morning posts. Coffee is brewing and I'm about to get caught up with Pittsburgh sports. Life is good!

Make every effort to begin your day with positivity. Sure.....life sometimes makes that a challenge, but try. Don't allow negativity to sabotage your day. Garbage in; garbage out.

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Back on track

Every Tuesday, I lead a group of local runners and triathletes in a "quality" workout session. Today, I jumped in the workout! It marked the first time in (at least) three years that I've done this type of workout. While my running fitness leaves a lot to be desired, I am happy to have made it thru the workout and with no pain.

It was funny to see the expressions on the faces of some of our newer runners when I arrived at the track in running attire. "Going to run today, Coach," one of the guys asked me. He has been coming for the last six weeks and, to him, I am just "Coach". In fact, since I have been leading these weekly sessions, that's all everyone knows me as. Most know that I had a decent running career back in the day, but mostly I am just the guy that provides the workout.

Since my multiple knee surgeries in 2012, my run training has been hit and miss. Since the beginning of this year, I have been able to piece together large chucks of training and even ran a half marathon in April. My wife, Natalie, and I have another half planned for early November so I need to get some miles on my legs before our training begins in late August. Also, I am helping her train for a Fit & Fabulous Mom event so we are using run training in our plan.

Will see how I feel tomorrow. Right now? I feel awesome!

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